The Light and Glory of the Christ of Christmas, Part II

Introduction

Heavenly citizenship or no?

Tony Evans Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More Than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking Eternal Perspective

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

REGGIE Jackson was a baseball player known as “Mr. October.” He got his nickname because he was known to shine when his team played in the postseason playoffs. Reggie would come up to bat, and the ball was going over somebody’s fence. Reggie Jackson said once in an interview that he lived for the postseason because that is when he would shine. But Reggie Jackson, in order to get to the postseason, had to get through the regular season. His secret to shining in the regular season was to keep his eye on October. God is looking for some Mr. and Mrs. Octobers—people with their eyes on eternity who faithfully play the regular season because they’re looking forward to postseason glory.240

In the midst of the darkness of human sin, the Christ we celebrate this Christmas season is the light and the glory of hope for the human race.

Isaiah gives us a glimpse of this coming Kingdom and its King...

I. The Qualities of the Coming Kingdom (1-5).

The Kingdom of Christ is a Kingdom of great light (2).

The Kingdom of Christ is a Kingdom of great joy (3).

The Kingdom of Christ is a Kingdom of great peace (4-5).

II. The Qualities of the Coming King (6-7).

• Verses 6-7 answer the question: How?

• How will darkness be dispelled?

• How will those in darkness see a great light?

• How will the nation be multiplied?

• How will we rejoice in a harvest of joy?

• How will the oppression of this world be broken?

• How will justice be served to those who oppress?

• The answer is: “For to us is born a child, to us is given a son.”

• Verse 6 is not trying to be redundant in its proclamation, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...” We can learn a great deal about Christ just by drawing out the differences between the child born versus the Son who is given. Both of these aspects speak to the heart of God himself. The child is born because God so loved the world. And the Son is given because God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. Both phrases also draw out the common object or recipients of this Divine gift given by God: “FOR TO US a child is born, TO US a son is given...” We, the human race, are the underserving recipients of an astounding gift from God Almighty. The phrase “to us” speaks loudly of divine intervention and grace given to underserving rebels steeped in darkness, but deeply loved by God who alone saves to the uttermost.

Christ the King was a child born into our weakness (6).

• It matters that Jesus was born as a child. Consider this story written in the NY Times by Nancy Raine about a friend named George that had happened some 25 years before it was written:

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 332: Incarnation In those days, work crews marked construction sites by putting out smudge pots with open flames. George’s four-year-old daughter got too close to one and her pants caught fire like the Straw Man’s stuffing. The scars running the length and breadth of Sarah’s legs looked like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. In the third grade she was asked, “If you could have one wish, what would it be?” Sarah wrote: “I want everyone to have legs like mine.” When we suffer pain, we want others to understand. We want others to be like us so they can identify with us. We don’t want to be alone. God does understand. When Jesus became a man, he did something far more difficult than having legs like Sarah’s. Consider the heart of God from Hosea 11:7-9...

English Standard Version Chapter 11

My people are bent on turning away from me,

and though they call out to the Most High,

he shall not raise them up at all.

8  How can I give you up, O Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, O Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart recoils within me;

my compassion grows warm and tender.

9  I will not execute my burning anger;

I will not again destroy Ephraim;

for I am God and not a man,

the Holy One in your midst,

and I will not come in wrath.

In his book entitled “Gentle and Lowly”, Dane Ortlund writes,

“The text says his “compassion grows warm and tender” in light of his people’s sins. Who could have imagined this is who God most deeply is? The text connects God’s supreme holiness with his refusal to come in wrath. Who could have thought this up? We read: I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. Is that what you expect God to say? Don’t you actually, deep down, expect him to say the following, with one small word change? I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will therefore come in wrath.

The Bible says that when God looks at his people’s sinfulness, his transcendent holiness—his God-ness, his very divinity, that about God which makes him not us—is what makes him unable to come down on his people in wrath.”

There’s something attractive about this response by the Lord. For those who believe, it draws us into the Father’s closeness and presence rather than stirring us to further rebellion. Those who truly know him and love him will be softened by the tenderness of God towards us in the midst of even our rebel hearts against him. The tenderness of God draws into his presence his rebellious child and works to reconcile us through our repentance and restoration in his presence. In other words, His kindness is intended to lead us to repentance!

The first advent of Christ I believe is designed by God to be the attractiveness of God’s heart towards sinners. It is God moving in close to the sinful human race. It’s shocking! It shocked the nation of Israel in Jesus’ day. We would expect, like they did, for God to come full of fury, full of vengeance and full of wrath against the sinful. BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4). He moves into human flesh in Bethlehem to first display His tenderness, love, meekness, and lowliness.

On what basis do I believe this? That’s a question you should be asking right now. Is Jeff correct and if I believe he is correct, then on what biblical basis is he correct? What does scripture say? I believe I’m correct on the basis of John 3:16-17, Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 11:24-28, Hebrews 4:14-16 and so many more passages.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

English Standard Version Chapter 11

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

English Standard Version Chapter 4

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The first advent of Jesus was about initiating redemption, salvation and extending the invitation to the nations to receive the gift of God, the salvation of our souls and the forgiveness of our sins through faith in God’s gift, God’s good news...his name is Immanuel and He is God with us. “To us a child is born...” what condescension is on display in the first coming of Christ. It is a humble invitation for whosoever will to come humbly…to condescend to Christ’s condescension and receive salvation. It’s an invitation into the family of God and not just His family, but an invitation into the very heart of God towards sinners. Christmas is meant to draw us into the heart of God and to receive His gift to us.

The second advent is about completing the redemption of the remnant of Israel and bringing justice to sinful mankind who have rejected God’s offer of salvation through faith in Christ.

Jesus was born as a baby. What is more vulnerable, weaker, more helpless, more desperately needy than a newborn infant who is fully dependent.

Jesus took upon himself the flesh of man and the creaturely weakness of living in a human body. Jesus was placed under the same exact temptations that you and I face in this world. Jesus was exposed outwardly to all of the force of sin that tempts us every day. Yet, in all of that vulnerability He never sinned. He not only never sinned in his behavior, but he never had a sinful attitude, thought, or word.

• So where did Jesus get this ability to overcome the temptations we face while clothed in our creaturely weakness?

Christ the King was a Son given who governs with distinction (6-7).

• Emmanuel is a Son who was given straight from the bosom of God the Father. Jesus did not come into existence at His human birth. Before He became a child born, He was a Son. Jesus is the everlasting Word of God. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. Jesus had no beginning and has no end. Jesus was present and active in Creation. All things were made by him and through him and for him, including you. Jesus is he “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil 2:6-8)

• Jesus alone has the ability to overcome the sin of the first Adam by coming as the second Adam.

• Jesus alone has the ability to live a sinless life, die a sinner’s death, and rise triumphantly from the grave.

• Jesus alone has the ability to govern the hearts of believers for the glory of God.

• Jesus alone has the ability to sustain the life of everyone who believes on Him.

• Jesus alone has the authority to rule and reign on the throne of King David.

• Jesus alone is the promised fulfillment, the Seed of Abraham, who brings the people from every tribe, tongue, and nation together with believing Israel under the faith of Abraham.

• As a child born, he is acquainted with our grief and yet without sin and he shines the light of the good news.

• As a Son given, he is able to conquer our darkness by overcoming our sin and defeating death.

• “For to us a child is born” is an invitation to each one of us to lay our burdens down…to come out from underneath the heavy yoke and burden of the darkness of our own sin and the burden of this world…to step into the rest of he who is gentle and lowly and to lay our weary head on his chest and find rest for our weary souls.

• “For to us a Son is given” is an invitation to each one of us to take up the victory over sin and death that Jesus provides through his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection…it is an invitation to share in the victory as more than conquerors through Him who loved us…it is an invitation to live for Him from the place of victory that he has secured for all who believe on Him.

• The names of Christ bring out the distinction with which He governs our hearts now and with which He will govern His Kingdom in the not-too-distant future. (Satan has his counterfeits to each of these descriptions of Messiah’s character)

Wonderful Counselor

Wonderful = a marvellous and astounding figure that causes a feeling or attitude of intense amazement.

Counselor = an Advisor who speaks and urges certain directions of actions or thought, implying the advice given is considered wise and valuable.

Why in the world are struggling Christians running off and paying to get counseling from secular psychiatrists and secular counselors today? Because somehow God’s people have not been taught the authority, infallibility, and sufficiency of God’s Word to speak directly to the issues and problems of the inner man. So we have believers running off to get physical medication for what are often times spiritual problems of the soul. This secular world cannot speak with authority or treat with any sense of confidence the issues of the inner man, BUT the Wonderful Counselor who created you can and does.

Mighty God

This is One who is strong and powerful militarily. Jesus is able to give a ready defense of His people and also to go on the offensive against the enemy of our souls. “He saves to the uttermost...” Hebrews 7:25

Everlasting Father

Jesus is the firstborn among many brothers. He is the progenitor of offspring. In Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham to multiply His seed of faith.

Prince of Peace

This is the Hebrew word ‘Shalom.’ It means completeness and it includes the following:

Safety - salvation, a state of being free from danger.

Health - lack of disease, wholeness, well-being.

Satisfaction - contentment of having all of one’s needs met and more.

Friend - companion who has affection and regard for another.

Blessing - the act of giving kindness to another.

Jesus is the PRINCE of Peace - He is the superintendent of the peace of His Kingdom inhabitants.

Tony Evans Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More Than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking Spiritual Blessing, Concept Of

SPIRITUAL BLESSING, CONCEPT OF

BLESSING in the Bible is not an offer of cotton candy happiness. Cotton candy is plenty sweet but it doesn’t last. When you put it in your mouth, it melts soon after. Its longevity is short-lived.

The kingdoms of this world offer cotton candy. It’s real sweet, but don’t expect it to last long. Blessing in the Bible has to do with resources deposited on the inside that can override circumstances on the outside.893

This world offers its own brand of counsel, power, and peace and the masses flock to it as their only hope of survival.

Right now in the heart of every believer, these ruling qualities of Jesus - his gentleness and lowliness, his peace and counsel - are intended to take root and conform us into the character of our Savior. But this world has its own counterfeit brands that promise immediate satisfaction to our felt needs. Will we trust the Lord to rule and govern even now over our hearts and their desires?

We are called to be Kingdom men and Kingdom women, not just in the future, but right now. Yes, Christ is coming to rule on this earth, but He intends to rule over our hearts in the here-and-now of today.

Conclusion

Citizenship in the Kingdom of Christ is being offered to you today. Citizenship in His Kingdom shines through the finished work of Christ - his crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Jesus is the Light shining into your heart today, exposing your need for a new Savior-King to rule your heart. If you’ll come to him with faith believing on and receiving him as your Savior and Lord he will break the strongholds of sin in your heart and shatter the yoke of eternal death that hangs over you and set you free. His Kingdom offers you unspeakable joy and a peace beyond all comprehension.

He will rule your heart as one who has walked in your weakness, yet overcome. He will rule as one who has the authority as your creator and your sustainer.